Martin Gore Quotes

As part of Depeche Mode, I don't think it's right for me to be using my own songs for a solo project. I'm not a very prolific songwriter, so I keep those for Depeche Mode.

You make one solo album, and some people swear you're about to leave the band or there are creative differences.

When I write a song, I always start on acoustic guitar, because that's a good test of a song, when it's really open and bare. You can often mislead yourself if you start with computers and samples and programming because you can disguise a bad song.

I want people to feel good about listening to this record, to get some kind of peace. It's just got something magical about it.

It creates a conflict of interest - what songs would I use for me, and what would I use for the band.

For years, I was stuck behind a keyboard rig. When I started playing guitar onstage, it was a bit of a release - not to be stuck in one spot the whole night. It's really enjoyable having the freedom to move around. You just have to remember to end up somewhere near a microphone.

Record covers helped me discover a lot of music that I wasn't aware of.

I even have nephews who make music, my daughter makes music. I don't know what advice to give them these days. It's really a tough industry to break into.

I sit down and create atmospheres, start playing guitar or piano and just sing whatever comes out of my mouth.

I always hate explaining away songs, because for me they mean something, and for other people, they'll mean something absolutely different.

The majority of the time I'm at home with my family, I play football three times a week.

I'm not particularly prolific.

I think being in a band is probably the only job when you're actively encouraged to be out of it most of the time.

I lead two totally separate lives. There are times when I have to slip into rock star mode.

Songwriting is a mysterious art. When I sit down to write a song, the end result should be mysterious and have this dark quality.

There are definite reference points to older Depeche Mode records.

Kids today don't know that much about vinyl.

Our music over the years has been very cinematic. It's surprising we never really got into film soundtracks.

I find it odd seeing a DJ playing to huge audiences. I know that people have been doing it for a while, but the fact that it's been embraced so much in America now and it's become like this new, big thing, I find it slightly odd.

I didn't write songs for a very long time.

I tend to like songs that are very emotional, that strike a chord with me emotionally.

When I write love songs, people think they're really soppy - but I see love as a consolation for the boredom of life.

I wanted to keep the music very electronic, very filmic, and give it an almost sci-fi like quality. Music is a necessity for me. I go into the studio at least five days a week, every week, so once I had the idea and the template, the process was quick and fun.

All of my kids are into music. My older daughter plays guitar, piano, sings. My young son, he sings.

Technology is a bit of a double-edged sword. Used right, it's a wonderful tool, but unfortunately, it makes it easier for a lot of mediocre people to get really crappy ideas out.

I've not worn a dress since about 1985. It always amazes me how there is still a fascination for it in England. The rest of the world doesn't seem to care. I'm not sure whether they don't remember or whether they've just moved on from it. I was brought up in the glam era.

There are Depeche Mode parties around the world where people listen to our music all night long. The more remixes we can give them, the more interesting those nights have got to be.

God knows why - no pun intended - but every time I write a song, I feel a need to touch on religion.

I'm not advocating violence but I think somebody should shoot Simon Cowell.

I don't think I've ever tried to be anything other than a weirdo.

When people meet me I think they're surprised to find out I'm not always angst-ridden.

I will be the focal point for however long I decide to play. Half of me likes that idea and half of me doesn't, but once the adrenaline kicks in, I'll probably really enjoy it.

I loathe the idea of going onstage in a T-shirt and jeans.

Anything that I write comes from the soul.

I like their darkness but I also like the pop-side of the Velvet Underground.

People are People still gets played to death on '80s stations. It was our first big break in America. It's not exactly my favorite song.

I studied German at school. I lived in Berlin for two years and had a German girlfriend for five years, so I don't find speaking German particularly difficult. Singing was slightly more difficult.